Sounds like a problem with the automatic control system. It "thinks" all is well and cuts back cooling. temp sensor? air door alignment? software? Would be nice to have a shopmaual.
karl
Dancote -- that was exactly my issue. have your dealer talk to the service manager at smartcenterlouisville (Shawn). make him do it before you go back, and make him get a replacement control module in stock.
After mine was fixed, it works great and holds the cabin temperature very constant. The A/C shifts itself into max mode when I first get into the car in hot weather, then throttles down when it reaches the temperature on the selector lever. It blends hot and cold air, and also cycles the compressor as needed. This is a very sophisticated system.
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The A/C itself seems to work fine. However the "climate control" seems to be at fault on my '09 Passion Coupe. For example, I tested it this morning. Outside temp was 83. I drove for 20 highway miles to equalize everything with the climate control set at 65. The inside cabin temp would not drop below 80. And it's not even hot outside yet!
However, the air temp at the vents was right at 65. So I'm thinking the "climate control" temperature is really the vent air temperature. Perhaps the sensor that controls it is not located properly? Or maybe it is simply adjusted incorrectly?
Advice would be appreciated as I would like to take it to the dealer once to get it fixed and not make a lot of return visits.
The inside cabin temp would not drop below 80. And it's not even hot outside yet!
However, the air temp at the vents was right at 65. So I'm thinking the "climate control" temperature is really the vent air temperature. Perhaps the sensor that controls it is not located properly? Or maybe it is simply adjusted incorrectly?
Sounds like the temp at some of my vents. From my on-going AC saga, I've learned that the temp at the vents should be in the 40s if all is working well. Unfortunately, there are a myriad of parts involved with this system, so it could be as simple as low on refrigerant to AC control module to whatever. In my car, they believe the problem is an expansion valve since everything else has been replaced. You'll have to go back for service and, if possible, I would try to leave it with them until it's fixed in case its something odd. Just my .02...
As far a thread title all's I can say, It's a Puny car, how could you expect more?
Couldn't agree more!
Having said that, since the puny A/C has to cool only a puny volume of air, our A/C is entirely satisfactory for our So. Fla. weather.
Even on the hottest days, after sitting in the sun for hours, you may only have to open the convertible roof for a minute or two while running the A/C at max fan speed for a couple of minutes. After that, in the worst heat last summer I was able to dial it down from the max fan speed to the next lowest, and even lower unless the car got stuck in traffic.
Dancote -- that was exactly my issue. have your dealer talk to the service manager at smartcenterlouisville (Shawn). make him do it before you go back, and make him get a replacement control module in stock.
After mine was fixed, it works great and holds the cabin temperature very constant. The A/C shifts itself into max mode when I first get into the car in hot weather, then throttles down when it reaches the temperature on the selector lever. It blends hot and cold air, and also cycles the compressor as needed. This is a very sophisticated system.
Jim, can you describe "max mode?" If it's what I think (high fan, max cool) neither our 08 nor the 09 did/do that automatically, not matter how hot the cabin is.
Jim, can you describe "max mode?" If it's what I think (high fan, max cool) neither our 08 nor the 09 did/do that automatically, not matter how hot the cabin is.
John,
I do believe you are correct in Jim's answer. Mine does the exact same thing
When I first turn it on, it's "max" with high fan and recirc (no matter what the settings are) then after a couple of minutes it turns itself down. Gotta love the "comfort package"
Yep -- that's what it does. I am SO happy with its performance. I keep it on 65 or 68 and stay nice and cool. Of course, my wife is always cold!
I can't stress too much how important it is to get the dealer to test it properly (computer hooked up, recalibrate the climate system with a computer command, put thermometers in the air vents and in the cabin (my dealer used an infrared instant read thermometer to check cabin temp), close the doors and windows with the A/C running and watch it. It should put out colder air than the selector is set for until cabin temp reaches the selector temp. Then the vent air temp will rise until equilibrium is reached. You should be able to watch it cycle. Open the door to warm up the cabin a bit and you should see colder air from the vents.
When I get into the car after it is sitting in hot sun, it definitely starts off in recirculate and high fan until it cools off. Then it automatically switches to whatever fan speed I have selected and switches out of recirc mode. My car is a 2008 black passion, so it gets really hot in the sun -- but it's nice and cool in just a few minutes of driving.
If your car is not performing this well, COMPLAIN LOUDLY!
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